Team MFG on the start line

Everyones a winner at Newby Hall 10km run

The Story of the race

The first 2km of the race was run at a similar pace with only Garry making a move to the front. Over the next 2-3 km the pack started to spread out and by the half way point Driver, Hallas, Savage, me and Mason were all within 20 metres of one another at the front.

Just before the drinks station at 6km, Driver made his move and no one could stay with him. Without any challenge from the rest of the lads he cruised home in 48 minutes to take the glory and bragging rights (which there were a lot of).

Between the 6k and 8k mark the race followed a similar pattern. Jamie Mason just ran in my shadow. I knew he was biding his time and when he hit the 8km mark he kicked for home and I couldn’t stay with him. Jamie crossed the line in a very respectable 50 mins approx. That left a three way battle between me Garry Savage and Oliver Hallas for 3rd place.

Whilst Oliver and Garry had taken to running then walking then running etc, I continued to plod on at a steady pace. With 1km to go we all kicked for home. With the finish line in sight Oliver and Garry kicked again and I decided to let the lads have their glory and allow them to cross the line just ahead of me in 52 mins approx. Having already won Stars in their Eyes this weekend I thought I should allow the lads their bit of glory! Also Oliver’s mum had come to watch him and I didn’t want her to go home disappointed! In addition I was still a little worse for wear after Friday night and my knees have had 18 years extra wear and tear! (I will add more excuses as they come to me over the next couple of days).

I’m not quite sure what happened with the other lads (as they were behind me) except to say that Sessions, Maney, Beckwith and Addy all finished the race with a sprint to ensure that all the MFG contingent completed the challenge.

Well done to all the lads who completed the race – it was a great effort by each and everyone of you and i was really proud of the effort. Thanks also to all the parents who came along including John Hall and family who kindly cheered the lad’s home.

The running is the easy part – now you have 4 weeks to get all your money in. Your target was £50 but as long as you do your very best it doesn’t matter if you fall short of that. Just give it your best shot!

Mr Sprott

Expensive day for Sprott

With 4 out 9 lads beating me I had to cough up £20 to the winners!!

Will makes it 9 out 9 MFG lads over the finish line

Good team spirit as Garry, Olly and Driver run back to cheer Will over the line

Kris cheered on as he crosses the line

Ben pips Sess at the post

Sess is too busy trying to look cool to worry about challenging Ben for 6th place!

Sprott on the finish line

Garry wins sprint finish

Garry just pips Oliver to 3rd place. Just in the background you can see me (Mr Sprott) 50 yards off the pace! Not bad for an old fella!

Driver crosses line in 1st

The 10k at Newby Hall wasn't the quickest but definitely one of the more picturesque runs. The majority of the run was over quite long and wet grass which slowed you down and the ground was hard underneath which meant it was difficult to keep your footing. With this in mind Matty's time of 48 mins was pretty impressive!

Sam Sessions at the 1km mark

Stars in thier Eyes raises £800

Sprott and his wife as Sonny and Cher

Thanks to Mr Fryer who organised another fantastic Stars in Their Eyes event last Friday. The audiences witnessed Mr Fryer and Mr Christian’s rendition of “I’m too sexy for my shirt” by Right Said Fred. Mr Codman gave an impressive performance of Elvis “The Wonder of You”. Last years winners Miss Ashton, Miss Atkinson, Miss White, Miss Mattock, Miss Raymond and Mrs Chambers produced a very polished performance as The Village People! Mr Carpenter brought the house down with a hilarious impersonation of Sarah Harding as part of the IT teams Girls Aloud.

However there could be only be one winner and that went to Mr Sprott and his wife (Julia) for their version of Sonny and Cher’s “I've got you babe”.

The video will be shown to the tour party when the Year 10s return from work experience.

I would like to thank the families of Tom Harrison, Matty Driver, John Handscomb, Will Addy, Ben Booth, Sam Sessions, Jamie Mason, John Hall, Kyle Taylor, Sam Codman and Conor Thompson who supported the evening and hopefully enjoyed what was a very amusing event.

Also a big thanks to the Addy’s who donated a very expensive cutlery set that was auctioned for £100. Thanks also to Miss Atkinson and Miss Raymond for their sterling work raising £300 in the raffle.

There is talk of a students vs teachers Stars in their eyes night where some of the acts can take on the likes of Tom Rowan and co in a final fund raiser before we go. Watch this space!

Fryer and Christian are "too sexy for their shirts"

Tonight Nigel Codman is Elvis

Team photo in shirt anfd tie

Team photo in playing kit

Scrum

The casual wear

"Brothers in Arms"

The Coaches

Driver’s Double leads MFG to 21-12 win

A really good game of rugby played in sweltering temperatures saw MFG get the better of Cleckheaton. Cleckheaton dominated the early exchanges and used Brayshaw, Eastwood and Sessions to batter away at the MFG defence on the try line. Only 10 minutes of superb defence kept them out.

Once MFG got more ball we started to move the point of attack and look dangerous. A great cut back line from Driver was picked out by Lowther to open the scoring. Cleckheaton equalized from a dubious try by Harry Eastwood who crashed over the line. Before awarding the try I asked Harry if he had grounded the ball and foolishly believed him only for him to admit after the game that he dropped it - I wont be making that mistake again!! MFG bounced straight back and Galindo finished a well worked move to make the half time score 14-5.

Into the second half and Cleckheaton continued to dominate scrum and lineout making it difficult for MFG to set a platform. MFG did win lots of turnover ball and that is where we looked most dangerous. Briggs kept getting over the gain line and when the forwards supported we kept the ball alive extremely well to make good ground. Galindo was unlucky to have a try ruled out as Lowther cut through the Cleckheaton defence but just couldn't get thread the final pass to him. Driver did eventually score his second to secure the win. Briggsy offloaded out of the tackle for him to run in under the posts.

Cleckheaton scored a late consolation but it was too little too late. Well done to all who played. There were some great contests notably Denham vs Booth, Brayshaw vs Harrison and Briggs vs Hallas. I was very impressed with John Handscomb who had a good game at 9 and Will Denham who’s ball carrying and defence were superb. Rematch in a few weeks.